Compelled by Christ

A Reflection for Friday, March 28 by Cindy M. Wu

Lectionary reading for 3/28/2025: Psalm 32; Joshua 4:14-24; 2 Corinthians 5:6-15

Selected passage for reflection: 2 Corinthians 5:6-15 (NIV)

Read

2 Corinthians 5:6-15 (NIV)

6 Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7 For we live by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

11 Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience. 12 We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us, so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart. 13 If we are “out of our mind,” as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. 14 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.

Reflect

My husband and I are not very handy. Growing up, our immigrant parents made us focus on academic study, rather than life skills and fixin’ things. So, I like to crack this joke about us being so heavenly focused (with ministry) that we are no earthly good. 

Although I’m not “handy,” I do like to try and fix things. Like broken family dynamics and organizational inefficiencies and community injustices and, in my ministry context, integration struggles for refugees. At times, the world’s problems feel intractable, hopeless. And these days, I’ve been longing badly for heaven. Or, rather, as I look at the mess of this world, I just feel ready to leave it behind. 

Indeed, the Apostle Paul acknowledges that we “would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord” (2 Cor 5:8). But here we remain. Paul reminds us that regardless of our situation, the most important focus is to please the Lord, for one day we will all stand before him. As we wait for that day, our task is to persuade others to know the Lord and live for him.

Which brings me to my life verses, 2 Cor 5:14-15: “For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.” I claimed this as my life verse about a year after I put my faith in Christ because as a baby Christian, I wanted my faith to matter. I hadn’t been looking for God. No, I had felt drawn, wooed, and compelled to follow him. And that changed my life, my outlook, and my mission.

The word that stands out to me in 2 Cor 5:14 is “compels.” God was and is so real to me that I cannot help but believe. I also can’t help but desire that others would believe, too. This compelling love motivates me to not live for myself, but for Christ, who suffered, died, and rose again. While I long for heaven, I pray that my life would be worthy of my calling (Eph 4:1). I pray that I will not grow weary in doing good (Gal 6:9). I will continue to pray, “How long, O Lord?” (Ps 13) but until that day comes, may I live for Christ.

Respond 

What is weighing you down these days? What are you asking God to “fix”? How do you sense God inviting you to trust him? And how is his love for you compelling you to respond?

Rest 

Jesus, thank you for your magnetic love that compels us to live not for ourselves, but for you. May we trust in your power to one day make the world new and whole again. Like a craft being carried by the current of the river, may we rest in your arms and allow your love to carry us along in whatever mission you have given to each of us. Amen.

About the Author 

Rev. Cindy M. Wu is co-founder and Director of Diaspora Ministries of Mosaic Formation. As a “pastor to pastors,” her ministry focuses on serving the city and church at-large. Cindy has published books and chapter contributions on global Christianity and refugee welcome; she also dabbles in poetry. Get better acquainted at cindymwu.com.